Tired, yep tired, but we had saved up some final exploring energy to enjoy the Kimberley's.
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| Gibb River road heading west from Kununurra (the sealed section obviously) on our way to El Questro Station |
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| The famous El Questro Station |
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| All those lucky people taking a helicopter ride to view the rugged beauty of El Questro Station from above |
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| Baby Boab Trees - El Questro Station, Durack, WA |
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| Ivanhoe Crossing - This concrete causeway across the Ord River was once part of the main road from Kununurra through to Wyndam, but from the commencement of the Ord river irrigation project (1960's) the crossing became impassable during the wet season. Due to degradation from the volume of water, it is now permanently closed to road traffic- Ivanhoe Crossing, Kununurra, WA |
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| A visit to Kununurra must include a visit to the Hoochery distillery if you are a run fan. In fact, new laws mean that ONLY tourists can purchase alcohol from the distillery - Hoochery Distillery, Kununurra, WA |
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| They warned Damien that it's just not possible to try every run they make and walk out sober, but would he listen??? |
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| Lily Creek Lagoon as seen from the back of the Kimberleyland Holiday Park where we were staying - Kununurra, WA |
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| Another must see is the sunset from the Kelly's Knob lookout. Great views over Kununurra, and good chance to sneak in a family portrait too - Kelly's Knob, Kununurra, WA |
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| The first road sign we have seen, since we have started, with distances for Port Hedland. Still 1,543kms to go.....!!!! - On the road to Bungle Bungles, WA |
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| The road from the main highway in to the Bungle Bungles is only 54kms. We left at 3pm thinking it would take 45mins and we'd have plenty of time to visit for sunset and then head in the next day for a proper visit. well, the road was so corrugated and undulating that it took us 1hour 40mins to get there that afternoon, arriving at 4.40pm. Enough time to just make sunset at 5pm, but a long bumpy and very dark ride home arriving back at camp at 6.45pm. The road was so difficult, that we decided not to go back the following day. One place we will definitely have to revisit properly again - On the road to the Bungle Bungles, WA |
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| Quick selfie with Cooper at the Bungle Bungles lookout. That is the the Bungle Bungles ranges directly behind us! |
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| Beautiful Kimberley Sunrise - Bungle Bungle Camping Ground, WA |
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| Back on the road again and first stop was for morning tea at the bakery in Halls Creek. Just next door was the butcher, apparently with a sense of humour. Take a close look at the cow sign - Halls Creek, WA |
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| Just out of Halls Creek is China Wall, so named as it said to resemble the Great Wall of China. It is actually a natural vein of sub-vertical white quartz that rises up to 6 mtrs above the softer surrounding rock that has eroded away over time - China Wall, Halls Creek, WA |
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| Back on the road again after a short look around Halls Creek, we arrived early afternoon for an overnight stay in Fitzroy Crossing. Pictured above is the Fitzroy River that the town is named for. |
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| Blaire finding entertainment to pass the long days in the car away - On the road to Fitzroy Crossing, WA |
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| Meeting back up with the west coast we arrived in Derby the following day for a two day break from travelling. Apparently they work on Kimberley time here. Love this clock in the caravan park reception! - Derby, WA |
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| Both in Wyndham and Derby, old hollow Boab trees were once used as rest points and temporary prisons for the prisoners being transferred to the town for sentencing - Derby Prison Boab, Derby, WA |
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| We allowed a full day trip to travel from Derby east along the Gibb River road to visit Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek. We decided to visit the the furtherest point and go to Tunnel Creek first, then work our way back toward Derby. This is the entrance to Tunnel Creek. If you didn't know it was here, you would miss it! The entrance requires a bit of climbing over rocks and through narrow gaps to enter the 750 mtr long 'tunnel' that a creek has carved through the Napier Range - Tunnel Creek National Park, WA |
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| Once inside, this is the view of the tunnel as it disappear into the darkness. Torches in hand we made our way into the darkness behind us - Tunnel Creek National Park, WA |
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| Exactly halfway along the tunnel the roof above has collapsed at some point creating light, and a spectacular view to the sky above - Tunnel Creek National Park, WA |
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| This is the view of the creek at the other end of the tunnel. During dry season (May - Oct) the tunnel is accessible, but as the rains arrive in Nov/Dec, the water levels rise dramatically making it impossible to enter the tunnel - Tunnel Creek National Park, WA |
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| Turning around to head back in, this is the 180' view of the photos above - Tunnel Creek National Park, WA |
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| One of the most amazing things we have seen on our whole holiday. Word can't even come close to describing the feeling of seeing this place in person. Pack your bags and make the trip there! - Tunnel Creek National Park, WA |
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| Ruins of the Lillimooloora Police Station - On the road between Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge, WA |
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| To access Windjana Gorge you have to navigate your way through a narrow opening in the rock face - Windjana Gorge National Park, WA |
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| Windjana Gorge National Park, WA |
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| Don't worry, these ones are freshwater crocodiles and will only bite if cornered or provoked - Windjana Gorge National Park, WA |
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| How many crocodiles do you see??? (There are at least 10 including the 3 on the far bank above our heads!!!) |
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| Time to leave as the afternoon sun starts to get low - Windjana Gorge, Windjana Gorge National Park, WA |
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| Dusty roads - On the road back to Derby |
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| Straight to the jetty on the way back and we just made it in time for a quick sunset photo. A quick scramble down the rocks to get this one - Derby Jetty, WA |
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| A quick scramble down the rocks, and one step wrong and you end up in the mud at Derby jetty!! |
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| Arriving in Broome, and two doors down form Scotty's Place (where we were staying) was Ray and Naomi's place! We know these guys from our early Port Hedland days. We wandered down for a quick hello which quickly degraded into cocktail night! Ray is awesome at cocktails! Yummmmm - Ray's place, Broome, WA |
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| Blaire being spoiled with mint chic chip icecream (retro alert!!!) and Scotty enjoying a 'Ray Special Mango Dacquiri' - Ray's place, Broome, WA |
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| The boys (Scotty & Damo) solving the world problems 'BBQ style' - Scotty's Place, Broome, WA |
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| Roebuck Bay foreshore is one of our favourite paces to take our young kids in Broome. There is an amazing playground, water splash-pad and cafe (amazing coffee) all in one spot. And apparently also some resident snakes..... Call in the snake catchers from nearby Malcolm Douglas Wildneress Park - Town Beach, Roebuck Bay, Broome, WA |
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| See that tiny little snake no bigger than a piece of spaghetti?? Ok, so maybe no bigger than an occy strap?? This is a baby Western Brown snake. No more than 40cm in length, but lucky we were over cautious with calling in for help, as a small bite from this little tiny guy would easily kill a small child! Yikes!!! |
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| The afternoon saw us venture on to the other side of the peninsula to Cable Beach. Here Damien and the kids are having fun in the shallow water - Cable Beach Broome, WA |
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| Cooper - The simple act of chasing waves - Cable Beach Broome, WA |
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| Fun with Dad - Cable Beach Broome, WA |
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| Breaking waves - Cable Beach Broome, WA |
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| The Camel Train - Cable Beach Broome, WA |
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| Making the most of the very warm days we took the kids to the jetty for a practice at fishing. I say practice, because one day we are going to get really good at actually catching something! - Broome, WA |
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| 6 years of coming to Broome and believe it or not this is our first Camel ride! Glad we were able to share this with the kids, they loved it! - Cable Beach Broome, WA |
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| Camel Ride - Cable Beach Broome, WA |
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| Camel Ride - Cable Beach Broome, WA |
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| Our gorgeous host Scotty and the amazing wonder dog Molly - Cable Beach Broome, WA |
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| The postcard shot, Red Sun Camel Train - Cable Beach Broome, WA |
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| Damien talking more 'world politics' on the beach with Dave and Scotty - Cable Beach Broome, WA |
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| Dave and Jodie's Prado! Nice one Dave!!! :D |
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| "Ahoy there mateys, I be diving for pearl's old-skool style for me mammy". Having fun visiting the - Pearl Luggers, Broome, WA |
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| The 'Sam Male', a restored former Pearl Lugger now a tourist attraction - Dampier Terrace, Broome, WA |
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| Our last sunset overlooking Cable Beach before heading south. Sunglasses down (boo hoo), cocktails in hand (yippee), celebrating a proper goodbye to this amazing part of the WA coastline - Cable Beach, Broome, WA |
